Houston Mayor Bob Lanier said Wednesday that "he sees
no reason" why the NFL Oilers should be allowed to leave
town early without the city or Harris County "getting
something in return," according to John Williams in the
HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Lanier met Tuesday with officials from
Harris County, Astrodome USA and the Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo to consider letting the team move to Nashville
before its lease expires. They also discussed the
possibility that it would be "harder for Houston to attract
another NFL team" if the Oilers stay in town drawing small
crowds, but Lanier said yesterday that such arguments "did
little to change his position" that the Oilers should stay
unless the NFL promises the city another team. A source
close to the Oilers said that there is "no chance" Owner Bud
Adams will pay extra money to the city or county to leave
early. The Oilers, however, "appear willing" to settle
their $2.5M lawsuit against Astrodome USA for a cancelled
preseason game in '95, in exchange for leaving the Astrodome
a year early (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/23).
